Alleged Bondi Beach Gunmen Acted Solo and Did Not Undergo Training in the Philippines, Authorities State.
The pair of accused individuals responsible for the fatal attack at a Jewish celebration on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, are believed to have been lone actors, according to national authorities.
Authorities further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans included landing in the main city Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The pair returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Preparation During Visit
Police assert the individuals did not partake in any type of terrorist coaching or "logistical preparation" during their stay in the Philippines. Initial inquiries from Philippine authorities point to they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The incident—described as Australia's most severe mass shooting since 1996—has been officially designated a terrorist incident.
"We are actively examining the evidence," she said, adding that preliminary assessments show that "the two men are alleged to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Commissioner Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that surveillance material documenting the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been submitted to domestic authorities.
"There is no evidence to indicate these suspects were members of a broader terrorist cell, or were instructed by overseas entities to carry out an attack," the police chief said.
However, the duo were additionally not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, she noted. She underscored that, since the probe is still active, new evidence might come to light.
Inspiration and Legal Proceedings
In prior statements, the nation's leader Anthony Albanese said it looks as though both accused attackers were "motivated by the so-called Islamic State" extremist views.
During the shooting, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying firearms—allegedly opened fire on attendees at the Jewish festival celebration.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 offences. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of perpetrating a terrorist act. He is expected to appear in court in April.
Travel Details
In the wake following the shooting, border officials in the Philippines stated that the older suspect had entered the country using an Indian passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The pair had declared the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their booked journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive city on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. It is noted that, Islamist fighters have reportedly be active in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.
